Unwilling accomplice

November 2, 2007

On a visit to my local Marks & Spencer, I had to walk past a picket by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, one that singled out this store in its campaign against "Israeli apartheid". The PSC's literature boasted of its union links, which includes an affiliation to the PSC by my union, University College Union. When I explained to the PSC picket that no one in my union asked me whether I wished to be tied to a boycott of a Jewish- owned business, it was explained to me that I was a "wanker". Will the UCU please state where it stands on the boycotting of Jewish-owned businesses, and whether this occurs under the description of "anti-Zionism" or some other description? And will they explain to me why, solely by virtue of a shared professional association, my voice is compulsorily co-opted into endorsement of such boycotts?

Robert Lockie, Brighton.

Register to continue

Why register?

  • Registration is free and only takes a moment
  • Once registered, you can read 3 articles a month
  • Sign up for our newsletter
Register
Please Login or Register to read this article.

Sponsored